Morning snow hung around the summit all climb, couldn't see much in the snow and fog but it was an enjoyable outing none the less. I was supposed to be skiing Vail, but the lack of snow this month delayed their opening so the snow was actually welcome!

First I hit point 13,418 and then continued up the S. slopes to summit. I descended the N. Ridge. Really starting to enjoy doing these peaks by myself. I didn't see anyone moving past Herman lake so I felt like I had the whole place to myself.

Super easy day.

BTW. . .if you stay on the ridge to descend or ascend the headwall, that sucker is 5th class! At least the way that I went down the crack was. Everything else seemed to be 2+. It was no more difficult than the 2+ Ridge on Edwards.

Thanks for the good directions on the East Ridge route, Kane. Clear, warm day. Encountered first patch of snow at 12,400', and worked around bigger patches from there to summit. It's a nice climb, reminded me of Kelso Ridge on Torreys, only harder.

I didn't realize Herman Lake was such a popular destination. 71 people signed in at the trailhead today (prior to 3:00 p.m.)

Instead of ascending up the drainage on the north/east side of Hermans Lake, we decided to ascend straight up the southwestern face. This ascent made it more challenging due to the extremely loose talus the whole way up. To find my route, look for a drainage to the southwest of the route described by Aaron Johnson.

To see more pictures from this hike that I haven't posted, click here.

This is a beautiful 13er close to Denver/Boulder but the trail to Herman Lake is as crowded as most 14ers on summer weekends. The mountain itself is rarely summited by these hikers, more content with the beauty of Herman Lake and the abundant wildflowers in this valley.

Unlike Kane's route description of the east ridge, I continued to hike the trail all the way to the eastern shore of Herman Lake. From there, head due north up steep grassy slopes and some loose scree to the obvious saddle on the ridge, 900' above the lake. The fun Class III part of the eastern ridge begins at this saddle. I continued up the ridge, avoiding most of the towers by using ledges on the south of the ridge.

My descent was more direct as well, heading down the SE face from the small saddle SW of the summit and Point 13,418. This grassy face leads down to a ramp, which by staying to the north, leads directlly back to the north shore of Herman Lake.

Pettingell gave us a little of everything. An enjoyable climb on spring snow, an exhilerating ridge climb, a pleasant tundra stroll. And for the list-ticker in me, a county highpoint and the opportunity to enjoy a second 13er. We climbed Pettingell's south slopes, taking a snow climb up from Herman Lake. After summitting, we contemplated a descent via the East Ridge. We had beta from Kane's page and took the challenge. The most interesting part was a knife-edged cornice we had to negotiate. The rock scrambling was abundant, and we had a blast! After completing the ridge, we took the optional detour north to UN 13,215 (a.k.a. "Hassell Peak") before returning to the hustle and bustle of I-70. A trip report is available here.

The original intent was to hike the south slopes route as we were in a hurry. We made it to Herman Lake well ahead of schedule and decided to check out the east ridge instead. Some steep and often loose scrambling leads to the ridge above. Stopped by Pt. 13,418 on the way down. Best view of the day!